Poika ja hame
(Boy and the Red Skirt) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
Roni’s mother thinks that Roni can’t grow his hair long because they are so curly. Mother doesn’t let Roni wear skirts because she thinks they are only for girls. Roni doesn’t understand why the world is divided into girl and boy things at school and at home. Even his grandmother thinks that everyone should be able to be themselves. One evening, Roni is watching TV with his grandmother and sees a woman wearing a beautiful red skirt. In the evening, Roni secretly tries on her mother’s red skirt and it ends up in his backpack with him to school. Roni can’t resist the skirt and secretly puts it on during recess. He feels confident and like he’s flying free.
Edited by: Lastenkirjainstituutti
Comment:
The picture book discusses gender stereotypes related to clothes. Roni is a boy and cannot resist a lovely red skirt. However, his mother would not want Roni to wear a skirt, as she is stuck in stereotypical attitudes about girls’ and boys’ clothes. When Roni finds the courage to be himself and put on a skirt despite his mother’s opinions, he becomes incredibly happy. Later, Roni’s mother understands and apologizes for her attitude. In the other parts of the picturebook series, Roni falls in love with another boy, learns about courage, and gets to know another brown child.